A great BBQ chicken sandwich is the comfort-food holy grail: tender, flavourful chicken, a sticky, tangy sauce, and one or two crunchy contrasts all tucked into a toasted bun. This recipe gives you a flexible, foolproof framework — choose grill, oven, or slow-cooker — plus a quick homemade BBQ sauce and bright, crunchy slaw to lift the whole thing. Follow the pro tips and variations to make it your signature sandwich.

Why this recipe works

Three elements make it sing: properly cooked, well-seasoned chicken; a balanced BBQ sauce (sweet, tangy, smoky); and textural contrast — soft bun vs crunchy slaw. The method below focuses on timing and moisture control so your chicken never dries out and the bun doesn’t go soggy.

Serves & timing

Makes: 4 sandwiches
Prep time: 15 minutes (plus marination if you choose)
Cook time: 20–40 minutes, depending on method
Total time: 35 minutes–5 hours (optionally longer with marination or slow-cooker)

Ingredients

To embark on your culinary adventure and create the Karachi BBQ Chicken Sandwich, gather the following ingredients:

For the BBQ Chicken:

500 grams of boneless chicken breast
1/2 cup of barbecue sauce (store-bought or homemade)
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 teaspoon of paprika
1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (adjust to your spice preference)
Salt and black pepper to taste
Cooking oil for grilling

For the Coleslaw:

1 cup of shredded cabbage
1/2 cup of shredded carrots
1/4 cup of mayonnaise
1 tablespoon of white vinegar
1 teaspoon of sugar
Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Sandwich Assembly:

4 burger buns or sandwich rolls
4 lettuce leaves
4 slices of tomato
4 slices of red onion
4 slices of cheddar cheese (optional)

Step-by-step method

Step 1: Marinating the Chicken

Start by marinating the boneless chicken breast. In a bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, minced garlic, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix these ingredients well to create a flavorful marinade.

Place the chicken breast in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over it. Ensure that the chicken is well-coated with the marinade. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors infuse.

Step 2: Grilling the Chicken

Preheat your grill or a grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush the grill grates with a little cooking oil to prevent sticking.

Remove the marinated chicken breast from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for a few minutes.

Place the chicken breast on the hot grill and cook for approximately 6-8 minutes on each side or until the chicken is fully cooked and has beautiful grill marks. Baste the chicken with any remaining marinade during grilling for extra flavor.

Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it into thin strips.

Step 3: Making the Coleslaw

While the chicken is grilling, let's prepare the coleslaw. In a bowl, combine the shredded cabbage and carrots.

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, white vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper to create the coleslaw dressing.

Pour the dressing over the shredded vegetables and toss them until well-coated. Refrigerate the coleslaw until you're ready to assemble the sandwiches.

Step 4: Assembling the Karachi BBQ Chicken Sandwich

To assemble the sandwiches, start by slicing the burger buns or sandwich rolls in half.

Place a lettuce leaf on the bottom half of each bun, followed by a slice of tomato, red onion, and a slice of cheddar cheese (if using).

Next, add a generous portion of the grilled BBQ chicken strips on top of the cheese.

Top the chicken with a heaping spoonful of the prepared coleslaw.

Finally, place the top half of the bun on the coleslaw to complete the sandwich.

Step 5: Serving Your Karachi BBQ Chicken Sandwich

Serve your Karachi BBQ Chicken Sandwich immediately, either as a quick weeknight dinner or a delicious lunch option. You can pair them with potato chips, French fries, or a side salad for a complete meal.

Pro tips & troubleshooting

Choose thighs for juiciness: If using breasts, pound to even thickness and watch cook time carefully.

Prevent soggy buns: Toast the buns and keep saucy components between chicken and slaw; the slaw acts as a moisture barrier.

Boost smoke without a smoker: Add a few drops of liquid smoke to the sauce or grill over wood chips in a foil pouch.

Shred vs slice: Shredded chicken soaks up sauce and is great for messy, saucy sandwiches; sliced chicken feels more “clean” and looks restauranty.

Too sweet/too tangy sauce: Balance with a splash of vinegar for brightness or a teaspoon more sugar/honey for sweetness.

Caramelization: Pat chicken dry before searing, and don't move it too early — good contact creates the Maillard crust.

Variations & serving ideas

Spicy chipotle BBQ: Add 1–2 tbsp adobo sauce + 1 chopped chipotle to the BBQ sauce.

Honey mustard twist: Mix half BBQ sauce, half honey-mustard for a mellow finish.

Southern style: Serve with pimento cheese and bread-and-butter pickles.

Healthy swap: Use grilled chicken breast, a whole-grain bun, and yogurt-based slaw.

Sheet-pan party: Roast chicken and quick-roasted corn/peppers on the same tray; assemble family-style sliders.

Storage & make-ahead

Chicken: Keep cooked chicken and sauce separate in airtight containers up to 3 days. Reheat gently and add a splash of stock to loosen the sauce.

Slaw: Store dressed slaw up to 24 hours; beyond that, keep it undressed and toss before serving.

Freezing: Cooked sauced chicken freezes well for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat slowly.

FAQs

Can I use boneless chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?

Yes, you can substitute boneless chicken thighs for chicken breast if you prefer. Adjust the grilling time accordingly.

Is it necessary to grill the chicken, or can I use a stovetop pan?

Grilling the chicken imparts a smoky flavor, but you can also use a stovetop pan for convenience.

Can I make the coleslaw in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the coleslaw a few hours in advance and refrigerate it until you're ready to assemble the sandwiches.

What other toppings can I add to the sandwich?

Feel free to customize your sandwich with toppings like pickles, jalapeños, or avocado slices for added flavor and texture.

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes, you can use your favorite cheese, such as Swiss, provolone, or pepper jack, to suit your taste.

Final thoughts

A BBQ chicken sandwich is an idea more than a recipe — swap methods, sauces, and toppings to match your mood and equipment. Focus on juicy chicken, a balanced sauce, and a crunchy layer (slaw or pickles) to keep each bite lively. Make a double batch of sauce — it’s amazing on fries, roasted veg, or as a dip. Now light the grill (or heat the oven), and get ready for sticky, satisfying sandwiches that vanish fast.